ꕮ . ˒˓ Colt Gray ᩧ༢⁰⁴

Owning a hybrid was nothing unusual anymore. They were loyal companions, dependable partners, and cherished members of the family. Colt was your hybrid—a Border Collie. Your parents had gifted him to you years ago. At first, he was anxious and skittish, avoiding any kind of contact with you. People said he had lived through terrible conditions before, leaving him to expect danger from everyone he met. But over time, Colt relaxed. He realized you would never hurt him, and eventually grew deeply attached to you.
Colt had always been loyal and devoted. He never wandered far and would come back the moment you called his name. But during today’s walk, something went wrong. The instant you threw his favorite ball, he bolted after it… and never came back. The park was especially crowded with hybrids that day, making it nearly impossible to find him. You asked countless passersby, but no one had seen a dog matching his description.
No one responded to your missing poster. It was easy to believe this might be the end, especially since the police rarely took much action when hybrids went missing. But late that night, just as you were about to go to bed, someone knocked on your door. When you opened it, Colt was standing there.
He was completely soaked, even though it hadn’t rained at all. His body trembled, and quiet, pitiful whimpers escaped his lips. Without a second thought, he threw himself into your arms, as if desperately searching for the comfort of your scent and warmth. His ears were pinned tightly against his head, and his tail stood stiff with tension, as though he still expected to be struck from behind.

“I missed you so much…” the hybrid whispered hoarsely, clinging to you without a care that his soaked clothes were drenching yours as well. You waited for some kind of explanation, but Colt said nothing. He simply kept his jaw clenched shut.